Retailers Pushing EARLY Christmas Sales- Start Shopping Now

Don’t be surprised to find Christmas sales located next to the school supplies and swimsuits this summer. Sears for example already has a “Christmas Lane” set up in their stores offering "Free shipping on Christmas Lane purchases over $60.” Is this really helping consumers beat the holiday rush, or have they gone Christmas in July crazy?

I blogged previously that about the inventory scare last-minute shoppers will find themselves in come late December. Why the rush to start holiday shopping? “Toys “R” Us claims there’s a need for early Christmas deals in tough times.1” I frankly agree. Shoppers (not just the addicted ones like me) are going to appreciate being able to spread their holiday shopping bills over a few months instead of having them all due in January. That’s on top of the fact that there may not be very good selection by the time we get our butts to the mall in December.

I suggest you start thinking about shopping early, and most importantly, have an expert help you ☺


1 “Why Christmas Is Coming Early This Year”, Aug 3, 2009 by Elaine Wong
Image courtesy of Toys"R" Us

“One-third of Shoppers to Cut Back for the Holidays”- Are You One of Them?

My fiancé forwarded me an interesting email he received with a report on holiday shopping this year. For those of you type-A planners (like myself) this could be good news. For those of you that wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas gifts, beware…

BIGresearch reports that a third of shoppers plan to spend less than they did last holiday season, while 3% plan to spend more. In terms of inventory, some retailers are still undecided. "They're not going to want to overstock, but they're not going to go lean, either, and not hit their sales targets," an NRF executive said. USA TODAY (8/3)

What they are predicting is that most retailers are going to underestimate the power of consumerism during the holidays, even in a recession. So all of you last minute people are going to be left shopping empty shelves. Shop early this year people!

While many retailers are focusing on the important back-to-school season, some — including Sears, Kmart and Toys R Us — are so holiday-happy, they rolled out "Christmas" sales last month.

"We may see consumers beginning their holiday shopping a bit earlier than past years, finding deals now and stretching their holiday bills out over several months prior to the holidays, instead of watching them all come due in January," Goodfellow says.

Quotes taken from Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY

Neiman Marcus HUGE Christmas Book- Shop Online NOW

The Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is out and ready to be perused and drooled over.  Check it out online at neimanmarcus.com.  Not only are there some great gift ideas, but some amazing dresses for all those holiday parties about to hit our calendars.  For a guided shopping trip, email me at jenniferh@beyondblack.biz.